INTRODUCTION: In past decades, the growth in obesity has been associated with changes in the lifestyle of the population, including comprehensive dietary changes, especially in the intake of micronutrients. OBJECTIVE: To describe micronutrient intake and review its consequences on nutritional status. METHODS: A literature review was performed covering domestic and international articles published over the past 11 years, on the SciELO, LILACS, MEDLINE and governmental databases, using descriptors such as "micronutrients", "food consumption", "excess weight", "health", "nutritional status" in Portuguese and in English. RESULTS: Micronutrient intake deficiency is a global health problem, affecting about 2 billion people and seems to be associated with an increased risk for non-communicable diseases and disorders, including obesity. Insufficient intake of vitamin A favors overweight by altering thyroid metabolism, while vitamin C is related to the synthesis of carnitine and fat oxidation; vitamin D favors the control of satiety and energy expenditure. As for minerals, calcium helps the regulation of thermogenesis and lipogenesis / lipolysis, and zinc is involved in regulating insulin and leptin. CONCLUSION: The promotion of healthy eating habits through educational practices is necessary for greater public awareness of the implications of micronutrient intake on nutritional status, and should be included in Public Health strategies in order to control obesity and its complications.